CONFERENCE - 2012
Ornamental fish industry is pet based and is concerned with the maintaining of fish alive in confined space. The hobby assumes significance as a medium for education on environment, ichthyology, technology, fisheries management and stress management. In addition to the pleasures of hobby, the industry provides employment opportunities, economic benefits, alleviate poverty, contribute to national income growth and enhance foreign exchange. In spite of all the positive attributes it offers, the aquatic industry at the receiving end with regards to the sustainability issues i.e. unethical capture, over exploitation and biodiversity loss, alien invasive species, biosecurity issues, trade barriers and institutional crisis. This points at the urgency in evolving an international cooperation in ornamental fisheries in order to plan a way forward.
In India, ornamental fisheries is a key area of focus in fisheries, livelihood and export. The demand for ornamental fish is increasing in the domestic and export market and hence the production has to step up to meet the demand. India has favourable conditions for ornamental fisheries i.e. the tropical climate, water availability, excellent breeders and supportive fisheries institutions which have to be tapped to enhance the production of good quality ornamental fish. Fishes having high market demand have to be identified and bred in required quantities and quality. For the industry to develop further there is a need for technical capacity building, increase in extension activities with bottom up approach, and availability of quality brood stock. Initiatives are on for enhancing production of green certified fish from culture and capture for catering to the domestic and export markets. To enhance exports concerted effort is needed to produce fish of international quality benchmark and the standards have now shifted from decrease in final DOA (Dead on Arrival) to Total Quality Management right from capture or culture to the final customer. It is important for us to look at existing methods, resources, expertise and conditions, and analyse how best they can be utilized and built upon.